The NRL has written to all clubs admitting match officials failed to use the sin bin on four occasions when they should have for foul play on the weekend, including Jarome Luai’s tackle on Warriors forward Edward Kosi and Reed Mahoney’s late shot on Cronulla’s Daniel Atkinson as he lay on the ground.
Clubs were told the lack of action would not set a new precedent, while also reminding them players need to improve their tackling techniques because of the rise in “shoulder to head” contact.
Luai was given a one-match ban for his tackle on Kosi on Sunday night. Canterbury’s Mahoney was fined $3600 for two separate incidents in Saturday night’s win over the Sharks, including a dangerous contact charge for his hit on an unsuspecting Atkinson.
Luai and Mahoney were not specifically referred to by the NRL, but sources with knowledge of the situation, not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed the governing body believed they should have been sent to the sin bin, while the bunker should have also given Brisbane’s Jordan Riki and the Dolphins’ Tom Gilbert 10 minutes in the same game on Friday night. Riki has now received a two-match ban, while Gilbert will sit out one match.
In an email sent to all club chiefs and football managers, and seen by this masthead, NRL head of elite competitions Graham Annesley wrote: “There were several incidents of foul play in round four where on-field action by match officials fell short of the policy that has been in place for several seasons.
Jarome Luai was at the centre of everything again on Sunday night.Credit: NRL Photos
“Of particular concern, on four occasions the sin bin was not used for incidents involving direct forceful contact with the head/neck of opponents.
“The lack of appropriate on-field action in these cases should not be seen as a precedent for future similar incidents. Match officials have been shown these incidents today [Monday] to reinforce their errors in applying the NRL policy, and clubs should expect the required standard to be implemented throughout the remainder of the season.
“A further matter of concern so far this season has been the increased incidence of shoulder to head contact by defenders. This is a tackling technique issue that needs to be addressed, and players must lower their target area to avoid the risk of contact with the head/neck of opponents.”
The NRL scrapped Annesley’s weekly Monday media briefing this year, where he would address the contentious officiating issues from the weekend, because it was said to be having an impact on referees’ morale.
Reed Mahoney should have been given 10 minutes in the sin bin against Cronulla.Credit: Getty Images
The same sources confirmed Ashley Klein was adamant he was in the best position to rule on Moses Leota’s knock-on on Thursday night, which ended any chance of a fightback by Penrith against South Sydney.
Still on the Panthers, winger Brian To’o is set to spend at least a month on the sidelines after hobbling from the field late in the game against Souths with an injury to the same hamstring that kept him out of the Las Vegas season opener.
Isaah Yeo, who celebrates 250 NRL games, said of losing To’o: “He’s been one of our shining lights. You know what you will get from him every game. At the moment, we’re letting in tries, but he’s been that really experienced guy on that [left] edge, and he gives everyone confidence coming out of the backfield.
“It’s disappointing for him. It would be nice to have him out there on the back of three losses, but you’d rather it happen now than in the back end of the year. It also gives someone else an opportunity.”
Nathan Cleary (concussion) will return for the premiers against North Queensland on Friday night, but fullback Dylan Edwards (groin) remains in doubt.
Manly’s Tom Trbojevic received some good news on his knee with Sea Eagles officials confirming the star fullback will avoid surgery and be back as early as round eight against Penrith. But with the bye in round nine, Trbojevic is likely to return in round 10 against the Sharks.
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